Defensive issues are once again high on the agenda after Nottingham Forest were beaten 3-1 against Sheffield Wednesday.

Despite levelling the game up through Ben Osborn’s first half finish at Hillsborough, the Reds conceded twice in the second period to lose their second game in a row.

Here are five things we can take from the defeat in South Yorkshire…

1: Is zonal marking the right way forward?

For a long time now, the Reds have been unable to do the basics well enough at the back, and it isn’t just the defenders who are at fault.

Defending is something that the whole team must be responsible for and that includes stopping balls into the box from various areas of the pitch, and it seems like asking the players to play zonal is overcomplicating things.

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In zonal marking, players are each given an area to cover and it relies on them carrying out their defensive duties to the letter. But they didn’t against the Owls and Steven Fletcher ran in unmarked to score a goal.

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Smith knows he needs to work on that side of his game and is doing so, and it should also be noted he pulled off some vital saves in the game and showed a great deal of character to make a big one after conceding the opening goal.

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But after working so hard to get back in the game at 1-1, they’ve then allowed Wednesday a free run at taking three points from a game that Forest could have got something from.

A big concern isn’t just the goals conceded, it’s the amount of chances that’s being created against them – 106 so far in their six Championship games.

4: At least there’s a game on Tuesday…

Unlike the defeat to Leeds United where Forest had to suffer two weeks before attempting to put it right at Hillsborough, there’s not too long to wait before a trip to the Stadium of Light arrives on the horizon.

Sunderland lost at home to Sheffield United and Forest can go there and put them under pressure, but it’s vital they get the first goal.